Gay Des Moines

Gay Des Moines

The Jewel of the Midwest, Des Moines is located in the middle of the heartland. Iowa’s largest city is an exciting place to visit, as it’s also the political and cultural capital of Iowa. In the heart of the city you can find the Iowa State Capital, the Iowa Historical Building, and the beautifully restored Court Avenue and Fourth Street areas.

Des Moines has a vibrant gay community, with several gay bars in the East Village. From here, through Sherman Hill to Drake University there are gay-friendly neighborhoods. Check it out for yourself in June, when Capital City Pride brings thousands out from all around the state.

Waking is a great way to see Des Moines. Downtown has a unique Skywalk system connecting you to a variety of shops and restaurants. Des Moines BCycle is the local bike share program by the Bicycle Collective, with about 20 downtown stations. Purchase membership online or at any B-station, grab a bike and go, then return it to any B-station when you're done. Daily passes at $6, or a monthly pass at $10 include the first hour of rental; additional time is $4 per hour. See more options at their site.

The downtown Civic Center of Greater Des Moines brings in traveling Broadway shows and a dance series that have included Pilobolus, and the James Sewell and Martha Graham dance companies. The Des Moines Symphony offers up your favorite artists in concert. Ballet Des Moines, which launched its first professional ballet company in 2012, trains young dancers and offers this year's performance season from October 19, 2018 to April 20, 2019 at at Hoyt Sherman Place.

In quiet downtown streets "scooping the loop" has long been a favorite late evening pastime and popular hangout for those under 21, and after-the-bars crowd - both gay and straight - who drive around downtown reving engines, blasting stereos, and hooking up.

Media & Resources

Accessline, formerly a gay newspaper, is now a facebook forum for the LGBT community and supporters.

CityView is the local alternative weekly paper with listings, news and reviews.

The Des Moines Pride Center (1620 Pleasant St, 244), in the Sherman Hill’s Mickle Center, is a community organization that serves, supports, and celebrates gender and sexual minorities and their allies. Resources include an on-site library.